Walmart Case study
Wal-Mart Case Study
Management 5650
September, 15, 2013
Introduction
From a gallon of milk to a complete home makeover, Wal-Mart is the kind of store consumers (to include myself) go to buy all their home goods. What we don’t see are the management aspect of the operations, the issues stores, management, and executives go through on a daily basis. Wal-Mart has several challenges it goes through, from self-inflicting wounds to battling competitors for the lowest prices and consumer business. However its CEO’s both past and present have set the foundation and direction of where Wal-Mart is to be headed in the 21st century. With direction and orders in-hand, its top executives have developed initiatives addressing Wal-Mart's biggest issues, including health insurance coverage and employee compensation packages aimed at saving the company money, while taking care of its employees. With its aimed direction, Wal-Mart is continuously looking for strategies and public relations to bring more business. Recently, Wal-Mart came out with two new incentives, one to hire more veterans, the other to increase its purchase of American made products. The issues Wal-Mart faces are many, but it did not make it this far to fall into the ruins, with it’s upper management strategizing into the future the foundation was set for years to come.
Threats and Challenges Because Wal-Mart has been so successful the past decades, the threats and challenges it faces seem to be many. From its self-inflicted wounds to the daily challenges of its competitors, the battles are ongoing. To begin with its self-inflicted wounds, Wal-Mart seems to be its own worst enemy. How many times in the past few years have you gone to Wal-Mart only to be disgruntled for not finding what you need. When this happens, Wal-Mart losses potential sales, while its competitors get wealthier. Since the last recession Wal-Mart has been cutting its staff by doing more with less
Management 5650
September, 15, 2013
Introduction
From a gallon of milk to a complete home makeover, Wal-Mart is the kind of store consumers (to include myself) go to buy all their home goods. What we don’t see are the management aspect of the operations, the issues stores, management, and executives go through on a daily basis. Wal-Mart has several challenges it goes through, from self-inflicting wounds to battling competitors for the lowest prices and consumer business. However its CEO’s both past and present have set the foundation and direction of where Wal-Mart is to be headed in the 21st century. With direction and orders in-hand, its top executives have developed initiatives addressing Wal-Mart's biggest issues, including health insurance coverage and employee compensation packages aimed at saving the company money, while taking care of its employees. With its aimed direction, Wal-Mart is continuously looking for strategies and public relations to bring more business. Recently, Wal-Mart came out with two new incentives, one to hire more veterans, the other to increase its purchase of American made products. The issues Wal-Mart faces are many, but it did not make it this far to fall into the ruins, with it’s upper management strategizing into the future the foundation was set for years to come.
Threats and Challenges Because Wal-Mart has been so successful the past decades, the threats and challenges it faces seem to be many. From its self-inflicted wounds to the daily challenges of its competitors, the battles are ongoing. To begin with its self-inflicted wounds, Wal-Mart seems to be its own worst enemy. How many times in the past few years have you gone to Wal-Mart only to be disgruntled for not finding what you need. When this happens, Wal-Mart losses potential sales, while its competitors get wealthier. Since the last recession Wal-Mart has been cutting its staff by doing more with less
References: Bonini, S., Mendonca, L., & Oppenheim, J. (2006, June). When social issues become strategic. McKinsey Quarterly, Retrieved September 18, 2013, from Business Source Premier database. Brush, M. (2011, November 15). MSN Investing money. How Target is gaining on Wal-Mart. Retrieved September 17, 2013, from money.msn.com/how-to-invest/how-target-is-gaining-on-wal-mart-brush.aspx?page=2 Dudley, R. (n.d.). Walmart Faces the Cost of Cost-Cutting: Empty Shelves - Businessweek. Businessweek - Business News, Stock market & Financial Advice. Retrieved September 21, 2013, from http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-03-28/walmart-faces-the-cost-of-cost-cutting-empty-shelves Fairchild, C. (2013, July 18). $12 Minimum Wage For Walmart Workers Would Cost The Average Shopper Just 46 Cents Per Trip. Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Retrieved September 21, 2013, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/18/walmart-worker-wages_n_3611531.html Ghemawat, P., Bradley, S., & Mark, K. (2004). Wal-Mart Stores in 2003. Harvard Business School, 9(704-430), 32. Matthews, C. (2013, January 16). Business Retail-Is Walmart’s Buy American/Hire Veterans Initiative Anything More Than a PR Stunt? Read more: http://business.time.com/2013/01/16/is-Walmarts-buy-Americanhire-veterans-initiative-anything-more-than-a-pr-stunt. Time Business and Money. Retrieved September 16, 2013, from Is Walmart’s Buy American/Hire Veterans Initiative Anything More Than a PR Stunt? Read more: http://business.time.com/2013/01/16/is-walmarts-buy-americanhire-veterans-initiative-anything-more-than-a-pr-stunt/#ixzz2fYxMdQxc Target Is Actually Cheaper Than Walmart - Business Insider. (n.d.). Business Insider. Retrieved September 21, 2013, from http://www.businessinsider.com/target-is-actually-cheaper-than-walmart-2012-8#ixzz2fB80Ikkt Scott, L. (Director) (2003, October 24). Twenty First Century Leadership. CEO address. Lecture conducted from Walmart, Bentonville, Arkansas.